Compliance & Safety Information
High Potency
Consuming higher-potency THC products does not mean a better cannabis experience.
- Higher-potency THC products are harder to control and come with a higher risk of adverse effects. Using them often may cause dependency in some people.
- If you are new to cannabis, be careful with higher-potency products like concentrates and vape cartridges.
- If you are buying cannabis, compare labels and consider lower-potency products:
- Flower with less than 20% THC
- Edibles with close to 5mg THC per serving (or consume half of a 10mg THC serving)
- If you are inhaling cannabis, wait between puffs until you feel the full effect.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
There are risks to your baby from using cannabis. Your baby consumes what you do.
Do not use any cannabis if you are:
- Pregnant or may be pregnant
- Breastfeeding
This includes:
- Inhaling cannabis (smoking, vaping, dabbing)
- Eating or drinking cannabis products
- Applying cannabis-infused creams or lotions
No matter how you consume cannabis, THC and other chemicals will be passed to your baby through your placenta and breastmilk.
If you use medicinal cannabis, ask your doctor about alternative treatments during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Effects of Cannabis Use
Cannabis has two major chemicals that affect the brain differently:
- THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol): makes you feel “high.” Effects vary depending on how much you take.
- CBD (Cannabidiol): does not make you feel “high” but can have other effects.
Possible effects of using cannabis include:
- Trouble with thinking, remembering, problem-solving
- Seeing or hearing things that aren’t real (at high doses and/or high potency)
- Feeling like time is moving slower or faster
- Feeling relaxed or paranoid
- Mood swings
- Increased or decreased anxiety
- Feeling dizzy
- Dry mouth or bloodshot eyes
- Relieving pain and reducing nausea/vomiting
- Impaired movement and coordination
- Feeling hungry
- Faster heartbeat or lower blood pressure
Edibles: Start Low, Go Slow.
- The delayed onset of edibles can have unintended effects.
- It can take 2 hours to begin feeling effects, and up to 4 hours for the full effect.
- Start with a small amount of THC (5mg or less) and wait at least 2 hours.
- You can always take more later, but you can’t take it back.
Drive high, get a DUI.
Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal and increases your risk of accidents. Penalties are the same as for alcohol DUIs.
Mental Health
There are potential risks to your mental health from cannabis use.
- Daily or near-daily cannabis use, especially of higher-potency products, has been linked to Cannabis Use Disorder.
- Risks include:
- Hallucinations
- Schizophrenia
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Temporary psychosis
- Thoughts of self-harm
- Suicide attempts
- Suicide
Minors and Young Adults
Our brains actively develop until around the age of 25. Using cannabis regularly while younger can cause long-term problems with thinking and mental health.
Parents, be aware:
- Edibles and other cannabis products can be mistaken for food or candy.
- Always keep cannabis products in child-resistant packaging.
- Store and dispose of cannabis products where they cannot be easily seen or accessed by children and pets.
Resources
- California Poison Control: (800) 222-1222
- Animal Poison Control: (888) 426-4435
- Dept of Cannabis Control: cannabis.ca.gov
- Dept of Public Health: cdph.ca.gov
⚖️ Department of Cannabis Control — California
Revised 12/2024